Weaker Forms of Shapeshift

David Bofinger · 02-17-2019, 05:38 AM

Shapeshift is a powerful spell with a high IQ requirement. Would it be good to also have some weaker forms of it, available at lower IQ? Such as:

Limited duration: e.g. a minute, or an hour.
Only one form: e.g. Allows you to transform into an owl, or a human of the opposite sex.
Lower attributes: e.g. The new form has a ST+DX total 5 points lower than when untransformed.
Less control of attributes: the new ST and DX are proportional to the form's usual characteristics. e.g. If a figure is human (standard ST 10, DX 10) but relatively agile and slender for a human (ST 11, DX 15), and it is transformed into a giant spider (standard ST 16, DX 10) then the new figure will be a relatively agile and slender web-slinger with ST 14, DX 12. OK, this is way too complex, but a simpler version.
Lower intelligence: e.g. The new form has animal intelligence. Hopefully you will have some method of transforming back, and your friends will find you if you wander off.
Limited control: e.g. The character must spend at least four waking hours of each day in a form or it becomes harder to enter that form.
Each form has a specified downside. e.g. If you transform into a unicorn you'll become obsessed with following virgins about.

I'm not saying all of these, but would any be interesting?

hcobb · 02-17-2019, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Bofinger

[*]Only one form: e.g. Allows you to transform into an owl, or a human of the opposite sex.

Already exists as a $10k magic item.

Jack O'All Trades · 02-17-2019, 08:29 AM

I've never loved the RAW for shapeshifting - they are elegant but they don't seem to do what people want from magical shapeshifting in my experience.

I think a house-ruled "become the average of X species" but with some modification of starting stats and some other limitations (maximum size?) and downsides would make a good spell.

02-17-2019, 05:38 AM	#1
David Bofinger Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Sydney, Australia	Weaker Forms of Shapeshift Shapeshift is a powerful spell with a high IQ requirement. Would it be good to also have some weaker forms of it, available at lower IQ? Such as: Limited duration: e.g. a minute, or an hour. Only one form: e.g. Allows you to transform into an owl, or a human of the opposite sex. Lower attributes: e.g. The new form has a ST+DX total 5 points lower than when untransformed. Less control of attributes: the new ST and DX are proportional to the form's usual characteristics. e.g. If a figure is human (standard ST 10, DX 10) but relatively agile and slender for a human (ST 11, DX 15), and it is transformed into a giant spider (standard ST 16, DX 10) then the new figure will be a relatively agile and slender web-slinger with ST 14, DX 12. OK, this is way too complex, but a simpler version. Lower intelligence: e.g. The new form has animal intelligence. Hopefully you will have some method of transforming back, and your friends will find you if you wander off. Limited control: e.g. The character must spend at least four waking hours of each day in a form or it becomes harder to enter that form. Each form has a specified downside. e.g. If you transform into a unicorn you'll become obsessed with following virgins about. I'm not saying all of these, but would any be interesting?

02-17-2019, 08:29 AM	#3
Jack O'All Trades Join Date: Jul 2018	Re: Weaker Forms of Shapeshift I've never loved the RAW for shapeshifting - they are elegant but they don't seem to do what people want from magical shapeshifting in my experience. I think a house-ruled "become the average of X species" but with some modification of starting stats and some other limitations (maximum size?) and downsides would make a good spell.